The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-24
ALONG LENT" /"
It at Last Passed Away for the
Martin Family.

IL dC LdSU EdS60o away Ava WIG
Martin Family.
was a cold. dark, cherries day, and the
city streets, which, few weeks before,
were thronged with q happy crowd OF
Christmas buyers, were almost deserted
A fine sleety snow was falling, and the
wind was rising in very unpleasant way
blowing the sharp particles OF snow IN
every ones eyes and ears, not at all aoashed
by the umbrellas that were held to ward
them of It's u poor snowflake that allows
itself to be discouraged by an umbrella
when there Is anv wind at all; Tor, II IL
fails to get under or around that particular
umbrella. it can drift to one side, or even
fall to the ground, and rise again in min
ute, fresh and vigorous for another attack.
"Whv, is that you, Katiet l nearly ran
you down"
"My! Doesn't it blowi I'm almost pulled
to pieces" is the reply, as two young girls
meet at the entrance of florist.
.Oh Matte, what lovely roses" the last
speaker continued. Are you going to wear
them tonight"
"Yes. Aren't they fines They'll go so
well with my pink plush l hear that
Mamie Tracy gives party next week.
suppose We'll be invited"
"Of course" said she who answered to
the name of Ka lie. "And I'm awfully glad
But then to think Lent'S got 10 come III anu
spoil all our fun!'
Yes" said Matte, lightly. II don't see
why we have to keep Lent when we'd so
much rather be having good time"
..Well. we'll have Il good time tonight,
any way. I'm going to buy some yellow
flowers of some sort, il l can find them
Come in with me-"
mo must hurry homo. I've lots to do
before night"
"Good-bye, then" And Katie tripped into
the store while Matte paused before the
window to see if among the roses there dis
played were any more beautiful than the
ones she had purchased. She did not notice
little thin wisp of a girl standing close
against the glass, with her eyes upon the
bank of lovely flowers in the window. Such
little thin, cold grill but neat and clean
although so very poorly clad She was
looking in the window; but it was evident
that her thoughts were upon her fair neigh
Dor, whose warm, fur-trimmed costume
brushed against the faded calico skirt and
the small checked shawl, in which she had
rolled her arms in the vain hope OF warm
ing them She looked puzzled and dis
trcsscd, and seemed to be trying t0muster
sufficient courage to address the pleasant-
faced girl by her side. Matte turned to go,
and this brought matters to q crisis. One
little blue hand came out of the checked
shawl. and was laid lightly on Mattie's arm
ssMay speak to you! l want to know-l
-I--want to ask you"-
Matte turned, and looked into the be-
seeching eyes that were as blue as her own
bit that had seen more privation and
trouble IN her own life and in that OF those
around her than Mattie's had in all their
sixteen years. Mattie's heart throbbed
with pity a.. with one glance, she took in
the poverty of the child before her. She
was used to poor persons; her mother and
herself both taught in mission sewing
school, and Matte had accompanied her
mother upon many visits to their little pu-
pills
What is it9" asked Matte, kindly.
s'What do you wantf'
~ heard you talking, and 1 want toto
know if there are two-twO OF them"
1.-TWO Of what"
1.-TWO of them; two Lents What is
Lent."
"Lentw exclaimed Matte, in astonish-
ment. ..Why, Lent is-is-why, Lent Is a
a fast of the Church. There is only one. "
sOhr' said the child, in disappointed
tones, and, rolling her arns in her shawl,
turned as if to go.
Don't go! salu Mattle. w mere no you
live. What is your name, and why did you
ask me about Lentt"
Il live in the alley back OF Chester street,
in Ferris row." was the reply, in hesita-
ting voice. 'sMy names Allie Martin"
She paused, and seemed reluctant to an
swcr the last part OF Matties question.
Matte repeated it kindly
sIhcard the other girl say Lent sprils all
your good times. Mr. Mason talks OF Lent I;
but he never said it spoilt any thing. Are
you sure there is only one!"
"Why, l don't know what you mean"
said Matte, surprised at the tears that stood
in the little girls eyes. "Who's Mr.. Mason!"
.sMr. Mason, he's minister. He comes
to see mother" ---@7--'-
Matte felt the blood rush to her cheeks
rs she recalled the words the child had
overheard and she felt condemned and
embarrassed before tho girl whose faith in
some one or something she had evidently
and painfully shaken. To cover her con-
fusion she asked Allies name second time,
und scrubbed it down on one of her bundles.
''Would you like my mother to come and
see you, Allie.n she asked "She can tell
you all about Lent"
"Yes, ma'am, thank YOU" and tho child